Spring 2020 – Recovering Belief: The Journeys of C. S. Lewis, C. E. M. Joad, and Other 20th Century British Philosophers

C. S. Lewis was one of the most influential and beloved lay theologians of the 20th century, but he is often ignored by contemporary philosophers of religion. Moreover, interest in Lewis is often primarily apologetic (interested in the defence or refutation of specific religious doctrines) rather than philosophical. While interested broadly in Lewis’ apologetic arguments, this project seeks to situate Lewis as an historical figure, influenced by, in dialogue with, and part of the larger history of late 19th and early 20th century British philosophy. A number of Lewis’ supposedly distinctive arguments have independent parallels with his contemporary C. E. M. Joad and both Lewis and Joad reconverted to Christianity after a period as atheists or agnostics. We will specifically be examining how Lewis and Joad responded to and corresponded about philosophical challenges to Christian belief, and parallels in the philosophical journeys of other 20th century figures such as Bertrand Russell, Arnold Lunn, and Anthony Kenny.